First of all, welcome to my new follower, via Bloglovin, Katie Jane.
I rarely make Strawberry jam as we find it too sickly and cloying. This recipe has been adapted from one of Rosamond Richardson's. Her recipe is for twice this much but I only made a quarter. To make the full amount, you will need 4lb of strawberries, 3 1/2 pound of normal white sugar and 2 large or 4 small lemons.
Lightly wash the strawberries and dry on a tea towel. Cut large ones into 3 or 4 and smaller ones in half. Very small ones can be left whole. Remove green stalk and leaves. In a plastic bowl, layer the strawberries with the sugar and leave for a 2 - 3 hours to macerate.
Put everything into a jam making pan or a pan with a thick and wide bottom. Bring to the boil and cook lightly (more than a simmer but not a rolling boil!) for 8 - 10 minutes until the strawberries have collapsed a little but are still whole. I messed it up right here as I went to read an email and when I came back, the whole pan was a boiling heap of pink foam:(
Carefully remove the strawberries with a slotted spoon and leave to one side - note to self - get a spoon with more slots in it!
Now add the juice of the lemon's to the strawberry juice in the pan and bring to a boil. Boil in 5 minute slots, testing at the end of each slot for setting (I use a plate in the fridge and a teaspoon).
Test again after the second 5 minute boil. Remove pan from heat until this test is checked. I found around 2 x 5 minute tests was about right for me as one more 5 minute boil will be needed with the fruit in.
Once ready put the strawberries and any juice back into the pan and gently boil (not a rolling boil) for another 5 minutes. If a lot of scum has formed, put a little dab of butter in the pan for the last 2 minutes. Remove jars from oven and fill. I always have an assortment of little jars warmed just in case I have any leftovers.
The set is still not brilliant but the taste is okay. It probably would have been better if I hadn't forgotten about it - ah well, such things are always a learning curve and like I said, strawberry jam is a rare event in this household.
Just to remind anyone who is following, my World War II Diary for Year III has been updated!
I love making and eating strawberry jam. I'm doing a swap with a friend.. I'll give her a jar of strawberry jam and she'll give us some fruit scones in return. Her scones are lovely so I'm happy with that :o)
ReplyDeleteSounds a right good swap there Julie, hope you and she enjoy the gifts.
DeleteI had to smile reading this post! our strawberries never last long enough to make any jam! We have eaten 1 kilo since the weekend!
ReplyDeleteWe only eat our own strawberries. These were some cheap bought ones to make the jam.
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